Water Extract of Rice False Smut Balls Activates Nrf2/HO-1 and Apoptosis Pathways,Causing Liver Injury

Ustiloxins are vital cyclopeptide mycotoxins originally isolated from rice false smut balls that form in rice spikelets infected by the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens.The toxicity of the water extract of rice false smut balls(RBWE) remains to be investigated.Studies have shown that RBWE may be toxic to animals,but toxicological evidence is still lacking.In this study,we found that the IC50 values of RBWE to BNL CL.2 cells at 24 and 48 h were 40.02 and 30.11 μg/m L,respectively,with positive correlations with dose toxicity and time toxicity.After treatment with RBWE,the number of BNL CL.2 cells decreased significantly,and the morphology of BNL CL.2 cells showed atrophy and wall detachment.RBWE induced DNA presynthesis phase arrest of BNL CL.2 cells,increased the proportion of apoptotic cells and inhibited cell proliferation.RBWE up-regulated reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels and lowered mitochondrial membrane potentials.Additionally,Western blot and q RT-PCR results suggested that RBWE exerted the above effects by promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 and caspase-induced apoptosis pathways in vitro and in vivo.The contents of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase,and total bile acids in the serum of mice from Institute of Cancer were significantly up-regulated by RBWE.At the same time,RBWE can lead to increases in ROS and malondialdehyde contents,decreases in contents of oxidized glutathione,glutathione and reduced glutathione,as well as decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in mouse liver tissues,demonstrating that oxidative stress occurred in mice.Moreover,liver damage was further detected by haematoxylin-eosin staining and electron microscopy to verify the damage to the mice caused by RBWE.In general,RBWE may cause hepatotoxicity in vivo and in vitro via the apoptosis pathway,which provides a reference for hepatotoxicity and its mechanism of action.

Inhibitory Effects of Propolis Water Extract on the Proliferation of Cervical Cancer Cells

[Objectives]To investigate the effects of propolis extract on HeLa cells to provide theoretical guidance for facilitating clinical treatment.[Methods]The effects of propolis on inflammation,and proliferation were analyzed based on the levels of DNA transcriptional regulation and mRNA and protein expression levels.[Results]Propolis water extract(PWE)could inhibit the cell proliferation and production of DNA damage in a dosedependent manner.Moreover,the propolis water extract could significantly downregulate the expression of iNOS-Luc,PTGS-2-Luc,and IL-8-Luc,and that it was related to the expression of the NF-κB family protein.After the induction of HeLa cells by propolis,the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor gene p21 was increased,while that of the cell proliferation gene Ki67 was decreased.[Conclusions]Propolis water extract could significantly inhibit the cell proliferation and production of DNA damage,suggesting propolis as a potential candidate for the development of adjunctive therapy against cervical cancer.

Allelopathic Effects of Water Extracts of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) on Seed Germination of Ageratum conyzoides

Sustainable weed management strategies are essential to reduce chemical and labor inputs. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of water extracts from sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamarck] on seed germination of Ageratum conyzoides L. under controlled conditions. The aqueous was produced from plant parts i.e., roots, stems, and leaves of sweet potato at concentrations of 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 g·mL-1. The results showed that the plant parts of sweet potato all contained allelopathic substances, which showed high-concentration inhibition and low-concentration promotion of seed germination of A. conyzoides. When the aqueous extract concentrations were 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 g·mL-1, the germination of A. conyzoides seeds was inhibited, while the germination was promoted at a concentration of 0.025 g·mL-1. This shows that when the planting density of sweet potato is large, it can form an obvious prevention and control effect on A. conyzoides, and thus improve herbicide resistance management.

Effect of Temperature, pH and Salt on Fluorescent Quality of Water Extractable Organic Matter in Black Soil

Water erosion is the major reason for the loss of soil organic carbon in the Northeast China, which leads to the soil quality deterioration and adjacent water pollution. In this study, the effect of extraction temperature, pH value, and salt on the water extractable organic matter （WEOM） was determined by means of the UV absorbance, fluorescence excitation-emission matrix, and derived fluorescence indexes. In general, the carbon content and aromaticity of WEOM increased with the increasing of extraction temperature, with the exception that there was no significant difference in the amount at 0 and 20℃. More fluorophores, especially microbially-derived organic matter were extracted at high temperature. The pH values of extractant, including 5, 7, and 10, showed no effect on the carbon amount of WEOM, whereas the aromaticity and microbially-derived component gradually increased with the increasing of pH values. The fluorescence intensity of humic acid-like fluorophore was stronger in neutral and alkali condition than that in acidic condition. The addition of 10 mmol L-1 CaCl2 significantly decreased the carbon amount of recovered WEOM. Moreover, it significantly decreased the aromaticity of WEOM and the quantity of fulvic acid-like and humic acid-like fluorophores, whereas increased the percentage of tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like fluorophores in the total fluorophores and the amount of microbially-derived organic matter. Generally, 10 mmol L-1 KCl showed the same influence trend, but with low influence degree.

Inhibitory Effects of Ginseng Water Extract on Hydroxyl Radical

[Objectives] The aim of this work was to compare the inhibitory effects of different water-soluble extracts of ginseng on hydroxyl radical. [Methods]The water-soluble effective parts of ginseng were extracted by orthogonal test,the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of each extract was determined by salicylic acid method,and the extraction process of the optimum hydroxyl radical inhibitor was optimized using variance analysis and cluster analysis. [Results] A total of 16 samples were prepared. Among them,the sample No. 12 had the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging rate,and the inhibition rate reached 105. 08% at the concentration of 1 g/L. [Conclusions] Ginseng water extract contained hydroxyl radical scavenger,of which the optimum extraction process was as follows: p H of 8,solid to liquid ratio of 1∶ 10,extraction temperature of 4℃,extraction time of 12 h and extraction times of 3.

Changes in Soil Hot-Water Extractable C,N and P Fractions During Vegetative Restoration in Zhifanggou Watershed on the Loess Plateau

The study was conducted in Zhifanggou Watershed,Shaanxi Province,China,to evaluate the effect of different vegetation types on hot-water extractable C,N and P fractions,with the aim to determine whether hot-water extractable fractions could be used as indicators of soil quality change in Loess Plateau.The six vegetation types established in 1975 were（i） Robinia pseudoacacia L.,（ii） Caragana korshinkii Kom.,（iii） Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.,（iv） P.tabulaeformis-Amorpha fruticosa L.,（v） R.pseudoacacia-A.fruticosa,and（vi） grassland.A cropped hillslope plot and a Platycladus orientalis L.native forest plot were used as references.The results indicated that the conversion of native forest to cropland resulted in a significant decline in the hot-water extractable C,N and P fractions.Hot-water extractable C,N,and P increased when cultivated land was revegetated,but after 30 years the amount of hot-water extractable C,N,and P in revegetated fields was still much lower compared to native forest.Hot-water extractable fractions increased more under mixed-forest than under pure-forest stands.Furthermore,there was a significant correlation between the hot-water extractable fractions and soil chemical and microbiological properties.The results showed that hot-water extractable fractions could be used as indicators of soil quality change on the Loess Plateau.

Effects of Convolvulus arvensis Water Extract on Germination of Okra Under Different Seed Sizes

Convolvulus arvensis is a toxic allelopathic weed that suppresses germination and growth of crops. The prime object of present study was to investigate effect of Convolvulus arvensis water extract on germination and performance of okra with different seed sizes. The seeds of okra variety pusa green were separated into three different sizes, viz large size （4.00-5.00 mm）, medium size （3.00-3.50 mm） and small size （2.00-3.50 mm）, and then soaked in allelopathic plant bindweed water extract and kept in patrisdishes for germination into the germinator at 15℃. The experiment was laid out using Complete Randomized Design （CRD） with three replications. The results showed that after sowing of 12 days the highest germination was observed in non-treated seeds as compared to seeds treated in Convolvulus arvensis water extract for 1 h, further non-treated large seeds produced maximum plants as compared to treated small seeds after sowing of 24 days. Meanwhile, root length, shoot length, root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight were recorded higher in non-treated large seeds as compared to small seeds soaked for 1 h in Convolvulus arvensis allelopthic water extract. It could be found that Convolvulus arvensis affected germination, seed growth and overall performance of okra, further presence Convolvulus arvensis in crops could cause negative impact on germination and integrity of okra crops.

Effect of water extracts of larch on growth of Manchurian walnut seedlings

研究被进行从象根那样的不同部分检测水摘录的效果，吠叫，分叉并且长叶，在二树种之间的成年落叶松， Larix gmelini，核桃树长果核桃树的生长上的树， Juglans mandshurica，幼苗和他感酌。四集中(100g · k g^(-1), 50 g · k g^(-1), 25 g · k g^(-1) 和 12.5 g · k g^(-1)) 为每种摘录作好准备。结果证明有低、中等的集中的水摘录加速了领子直径的生长并且增加了生物资源和核桃幼苗的根 / 射击比率。水从树枝提取并且与低、中等的集中吠叫加速了幼苗的高度生长，当那些稍微从叶子和根减少了时幼苗的高度生长。水的申请落叶松提取的事实可能改进了核桃树长果核桃树属性的生长到在二树种之间的他感酌。

In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Hot Water Extracts from 7 Different Sources of Ganoderma Lucidum

[Objectives] To study the in vitro antioxidant activity of hot water extracts from 7 different sources of Ganoderma lucidum mushroom.[Methods] The in vitro antioxidant activity of hot water extracts from 7 different sources of G. lucidum was studied from total reducing capacity,scavenging of hydroxyl free radical( ·OH),superoxide anion( O_2^(2-)·),and DPPH free radical.[Results]Under the same concentration,hot water extracts wild G. lucidum in Maoer Mountain showed the strongest reducing capacity with the absorbency being 2. 48,the highest scavenging capacity of hydroxyl free radical( · OH) with the scavenging rate being 99. 46%,and the strongest scavenging ability of DPPH free radical with its scavenging rate being 96. 62%. The ability of scavenging superoxide anion free radical( O_2^(2-)·) ranked the third.[Conclusions]The hot water extracts from Maoer Mountain wild G. lucidum showed the highest antioxidant ability in three aspects,indicating that Maoer Mountain wild G. lucidum has high development potential.

Toxicity effects of water extracts of Holothuria atra Jaeger in mice

Objective:To determine lethal median dose(LD_(50)) and histopalhological toxicity of water extract of Hololhuria atra(H,atra) in mice.Methods:The behavioral changes,mortality and histopathology examination on liver were assessed in mice 14 d after the administration(i.p.) of H.atra water extract.Seven doses 110,20,30,50.100.150 and 200 mg/kg) of H.atra were used.The control group was treated with normal saline,Results:In the acute study in mice,the water extracts of H,atra caused dose-dependent general behavior adverse affects and mortality.The main behavioral sign of toxicity was hypoactivity,noticed immediately after administration of the extract which was more obvious at the higher doses and persisted until death.Mortality increased with increasing doses,the calculated LD_(50)was 41 mg/kg in mice.The liver toxicity was confirmed by histopalhological examination,which indicated the presence of abnormal hepatocytes with a distorted shape and undefined cell lining as well as enlarged nuclei in low doses groups.High doses groups indicated a more prominent distortion of the polyhedral hepatocytes with undefined cell lining,massive cytoplasm,pvknotic.karyorhexis and karyolytie nuclei(necrosis of hepatocytes).Control group showed polyhedral hepatocytes with defined cell lining arranged in cords and normal round nuclei,with granular cytoplasm.Conclusions:Because of the relatively low LD_(50) value in the acute study in mice,it may be concluded that the H.atra water extract is toxic.

Potent water extracts of Indonesian medicinal plants against PTP1B

Objective:To examine the potent of water as a solvent agent in the preparation of traditional herbal medicine.Methods:Water extracts of 18 plants were prepared through reflux and examined(25μg/mL) to evaluate their possibility for inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B(PTP1B).The determination of IC50 values was performed for the samples possessing more than 80%inhibition.Meanwhile,those exhibiting IC50 values more than 7.0 μg/mL were further profiled for their chemical constituents through nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) measurement.Results:About 44%(8) of the examined samples showed more than 80%inhibition against PTP1 B.The water extracts of Elephantopus scaber,Helicteres isora aerial parts,Elaeocarpus grandiflorus(E.grandiflorus) fruits,Melaleuca leucadendron leaves,and Quercus infectoria gum had IC50 values ranging from 2.05 to 6.90 μg/mL.Meanwhile,Andropogon nardus and Centella asiatica were at the area of δ 3.0-4.0 ppm.Further,the13 C NMR observation of samples possessing the most intensive signals in their proton NMR Cinnamomum burmannii and E.grandiflorus showed the peaks at the area of δ 60-90 ppm as the supportive evidence for sugar group signals.Intriguingly,a disaccharide from E.grandiflorus could be an active inhibitor towards PTB1 B.Conclusions:In contrast to the mainstream solvents currently used in modern herbal manufactures especially Jamu medicine in Indonesia,pure-water-extracted materials should be reconsidered and could be reemerged for future studies and for the manufacture of herbal medicines.In addition,the activity of Jamu components should be confirmed that their antidiabetes and antiobesity activities could be through the inhibition of PTP1 B.

Application of Sub-Critical Water Extraction in Pharmaceutical Industry

Sub-critical water extraction is a brand-new separation technology. This paper mainly discussed the principle, advantages of sub-critical water extraction, and its applications ranging from the medicinal plants traditionally used in Europe and Asia to produce pharmaceutical extracts (such as volatile oil, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinone, lactone, etc.). Meanwhile, the prospect of sub-critical water extraction in plant extractives is also explored. It will be widely used in the field of medical plants, bringing huge economic benefits, environmental benefits and social benefits.

Pressurized Hot Water Extraction of Alkaloids in Goldenseal

A quick, efficient and environmentally beneficial approach for the extraction of alkaloids in goldenseal based on pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) is presented. PHWE was evaluated following the extraction of hydrastine and berberine which are the two main alkaloids of goldenseal. The effects of temperature and other parameters on extraction yields were monitored by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The extraction yields were compared to those achieved through reflux and ultrasonic extraction methods. PHWE employed hot water at an optimal temperature of 140℃, a pressure of 50 bars and flow rate of 1 mL.min-1 for extraction experiments conducted in the dynamic mode. Both PHWE and conventional methods achieved comparable extraction yields. Reflux and ultrasonic extractions had procedures that were slower (over 6 h) and employed large quantities (200 mL) of organic solvents. The PHWE method was simple and relatively fast as extraction was achieved in 15 min. At 95% confidence level (n = 3), reflux and ultrasonic methods recorded extraction yields that were not significantly different from that of PHWE. Moreover, PHWE employed a more readily available “green” solvent, (water) to achieve comparable results to those of conventional methods which utilized organic solvents. The percentage relative standard deviations (%RSD) for the extraction yields were less than 3% in all cases indicating the high reproducibility of the method. However, when using PHWE to extract thermally labile analytes like alkaloids, degradation effects also occurred. Increasing the temperatures certainly achieved higher extraction yields but also led to degradation of these thermally labile compounds indicating a necessity for optimization.

Effects of hot-water extract of <i>Paecilomyces hepiali</i>on hypertension parameters in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

In this study, effects of hot water extract of Paecilomyces hepiali mycelia on hypertension parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were investigated. The tested parameters included blood pressure, blood and urine biochemical composition, renin and angiotensin II levels in the blood. Prior to these tests, the extract was examined for toxicity. The fungus was cultivated in a solid medium composed of 40 g brown rice, 0.32 g glucose, 0.65 g sucrose, 2 g peptone and 65 ml corn steep liquor. No abnormality or harmful effects were observed in the toxicity test. Administration of a continuous-dose, once daily, to SHR for 27 weeks (from 13 weeks of age) decreased the systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly. Levels of blood urea nitrogen, β-lipoprotein lipid peroxides and low density lipoprotein were significantly lower in the treated groups when compared to the control group. Urinary protein was significantly reduced in the middle and high dose groups. In comparison with the control group (0 mg/kg/10ml/day), significantly higher values were obtained for total cholesterol in groups that were given middle (170 mg/kg/10ml/day) and high (250 mg/kg/10ml/day) dosages. In all dosages (low, middle and high) the values for triglyceride were significantly higher than value found in the control group. In terms of angiotensin II levels, the value in the control group was markedly higher than values in the other groups. The results suggest that oral administration of hot water extract of P. hepiali mycelia has ability to control hypertension in rats.

Advances in Methods of Surface Water Extraction Based on MODIS Data

In recent years,remote sensing technology has been widely used to distinguish and extract water body information on the surface of land,investigate and analyze surface water resources,monitor and study ecological environment,monitor and assess floods. Remote sensing data provided by MODIS sensor carried on satellites in the United States Earth Observation System（ EOS） have high spatial and temporal resolution and spectral resolution,and images have a wide coverage range and are available for free. Moreover,they can be used for dynamic monitoring of changes in water body area on the earth quickly and efficiently. In this study,based on the analysis of spectral characteristics of water body,the characteristics of MODIS data and the methods of surface water extraction were introduced,and the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of water body extraction were analyzed by the comparison between the practical application effects of these methods.

Screening the effective components in treating dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency syndrome and elucidating the potential mechanism of Poria water extract

Poria is an important medicine for inducing diuresis to drain dampness from the middle energizer.However,the specific effective components and the potential mechanism of Poria remain largely unknown.To identify the effective components and the mechanism of Poria water extract(PWE)to treat dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency syndrome(DSSD),a rat model of DSSD was established through weight-loaded forced swimming,intragastric ice-water stimulation,humid living environment,and alternate-day fasting for 21 days.After 14 days of treatment with PWE,the results indicated that PWE increased fecal moisture percentage,urine output,D-xylose level and weight;amylase,albumin,and total protein levels;and the swimming time of rats with DSSD to different extents.Eleven highly related components were screened out using the spectrum-effect relationship and LC-MS.Mechanistic studies revealed that PWE significantly increased the expression of serum motilin(MTL),gastrin(GAS),ADCY5/6,p-PKAα/β/γcat,and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein in the stomach,and AQP3 expression in the colon.Moreover,it decreased the levels of serum ADH,the expression of AQP3 and AQP4 in the stomach,AQP1 and AQP3 in the duodenum,and AQP4 in the colon.PWE induced diuresis to drain dampness in rats with DSSD.Eleven main effective components were identified in PWE.They exerted therapeutic effect by regulating the AC-cAMP-AQP signaling pathway in the stomach,MTL and GAS levels in the serum,AQP1 and AQP3 expression in the duodenum,and AQP3 and AQP4 expression in the colon.

Automated Extraction for Water Bodies Using New Water Index from Landsat 8 OLI Images

The extraction of water bodies is essential for monitoring water resources,ecosystem services and the hydrological cycle,so analyzing water bodies from remote sensing images is necessary.The water index is designed to highlight water bodies in remote sensing images.We employ a new water index and digital image processing technology to extract water bodies automatically and accurately from Landsat 8 OLI images.Firstly,we preprocess Landsat 8 OLI images with radiometric calibration and atmospheric correction.Subsequently,we apply KT transformation,LBV transformation,AWEI nsh,and HIS transformation to the preprocessed image to calculate a new water index.Then,we perform linear feature enhancement and improve the local adaptive threshold segmentation method to extract small water bodies accurately.Meanwhile,we employ morphological enhancement and improve the local adaptive threshold segmentation method to extract large water bodies.Finally,we combine small and large water bodies to get complete water bodies.Compared with other traditional methods,our method has apparent advantages in water extraction,particularly in the extraction of small water bodies.

Extracting water body data based on SDWI and threshold segmentation:A case study in permafrost area surrounding Salt Lake in Hoh Xil,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

There are a large number of lakes,rivers,and other natural water bodies distributed in the permafrost area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP).The changes in water bodies will affect the distribution of water resources in sur-rounding areas and downstream areas,resulting in environmental impact and bringing potential flood disasters,which will induce more serious issues and problems in alpine and high-altitude areas with a fragile habitat(such as the QTP in China).Generally,effective,reasonable,and scientific monitoring of large-scale water bodies can not only document the changes in water bodies intuitively,but also provide important theoretical reference for subsequent environmental impact prediction,and disaster prevention and mitigation in due course of time.The large-scale water extraction technology derived from the optical remote sensing(RS)image is seriously affected by clouds,bringing about large differences among the extracted water result products.Synthetic aperture radar(SAR)RS technology has the unique advantage characteristics of all-weather,all-day,strong penetration,and not being affected by clouds,which is hopeful in extracting water body data,especially for days with cloudy weather.The data extraction of large-scale water bodies based on SAR images can effectively avoid the errors caused by clouds that become prevalent at present.In this paper,the Hoh Xil Salt Lake on the QTP and its surrounding five lakes are taken as the research objects.The 2-scene Sentinel-1 SAR image data covering the whole area on 22 August 2022 was used to verify the feasibility of extracting water body data in permafrost zones.Furthermore,on 22 August 2022,the wealth here was cloudy,which made the optical RS images,e.g.,Sentinel-2 images full of clouds.The results show that:using the Sentinel-1 image and threshold segmentation method to extract water body data is efficient and effective with excellent results in permafrost areas.Concretely,the Sentinel-1 dual-polarized water index(SDWI),calculated by combining dual vertical–vertical(VV)polarized and verti-cal–horizontal(VH)polarized data is a useful index for water extraction and the result is better than each of the VV or VH polarized images.